Michigan preservationists reclaim history and revive local economies.
The renovation of Marquette's Landmark Inn marked a turning point in that Upper Peninsula city's modern history. It signaled other investors that a revival of its moribund business district was under way. Today Marquette has one of Michigan's liveliest downtowns, but its success story is by no means an isolated example. According to "A Civic Gift: Historic Preservation, Community Reinvestment, and Smart Growth in Michigan," a new study by the Michigan Land Use Institute prepared under contract for the State Historic Preservation Office, entrepreneurs, investors, and insightful communities across Michigan are reaping greater economic activity and a higher quality of life through similar historic preservation projects.
Thanks to Keith Schneider
FULL STORY: A Civic Gift

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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